GE Statement on the Care and Ethical Use of Animals in Medical Research

GE works with a limited number of animals, primarily rodents, in the discovery and development of novel diagnostic products used in the identification and detection of disease. GE is committed to using the fewest number of animals that will provide scientifically sound data to ensure the safety and efficacy of products and therapies. GE also is committed to providing exemplary care in accordance with best practices for the care and welfare of laboratory animals. GE adheres to the “Three Rs Principles” through which the use of animals is Reduced, Refined and Replaced. This principle forms part of the strict regulatory regime controlling the use of animal studies in medicine.

The Issue

GE recognizes that the use of animals in medical research to advance scientific understanding of biologic systems and to develop new medical technologies is unsettling to some people. However, many others believe that the challenges and burdens faced from diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, heart failure and stroke justify the carefully considered use of animals when no other appropriate scientific methods are available. This Position Statement sets out GE’s views on the use of animals for medical research purposes and will be amended to reflect any developments in this field.

Background

GE’s goal is to enable healthcare providers to better diagnose, treat and manage patients. A key technology in this effort is the visualization of biological processes at all levels within the human body—from the sub-cellular molecules and biochemicals that make up our genetic structure, to cells, tissues and whole organ systems. GE Healthcare has two units that perform medical research that requires the use of a limited number of animals. This type of research is performed to determine the safety of products and/or to satisfy legal requirements of health regulatory authorities around the world.

Medical Diagnostics

This unit develops diagnostic products used to understand and enable the treatment of major diseases in conjunction with X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and functional imaging systems. Contrast and radiopharmaceutical imaging agents are, in general, injected into the bloodstream to enhance images taken of the structure or function of internal body organs and tissues. These enhanced images enable physicians to more accurately detect, diagnose and treat diseases of the heart, lung and brain and functional abnormalities.

Life Sciences

This unit is involved in developing and providing integrated systems and solutions for disease research and drug discovery, development and manufacture. Our technology platforms enable the discovery, development and manufacturing of new medicines. They also allow researchers to better understand the function of genes and proteins that may be responsible for disease, to screen possible drug candidates and develop them in clinical trials, and to manufacture biopharmaceuticals such as insulin.

Animals used in GE labs by species

GE subscribes to the “Three Rs” that advocate study designs in medical research to Reduce, Refine and Replace the use of animals. In the area of research involving animals, GE is considered low-volume in its use of animals, especially given the size of GE Healthcare and its expansion into new areas such as Medical Diagnostics and Life Sciences. Below is a summary of the species of animals used by percentage.

Questions and Answers on GE Healthcare’s Use of Animals

Does GE use animals in medical research and development?

GE, like other healthcare companies, must ensure the safety, quality and efficacy of its products used in humans. To achieve this currently requires the use of animals in some of our work to help develop new medical products and technologies. At all times the company’s use of animals in medical research adheres to the highest standards of husbandry and ethical treatment. We adhere to the guiding principles of Reduce, Refine and Replace through which animal research is confined to an absolute minimum and, whenever appropriate, we utilize methods that do not require the use of animals.

What is GE’s position on the use of animals in research?

GE is a world leader in medical diagnostics and life sciences, delivering pharmaceutical products for the diagnosis and treatment of disease and technologies for life science research and drug discovery, development and manufacture. In all areas where we have made discoveries in medical diagnostics, the use of animals has played a crucial role. Recent developments in the fields of genetics, molecular biology and advanced computing are providing unprecedented opportunities for advancements in the area of medical diagnostics while simultaneously reducing the need for animal research. We expect that today’s research will result in future medical diagnostic solutions that will benefit both healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. These future discoveries will be dependent, in part, on the continuation of research work involving the limited use of animals.

Is there really no alternative to the use of animals in medical research?

Although work continues into the use of in vitro methods and some in silico methods, these are not yet able to reproduce the complexity of “in vivo” or whole animal systems. Non-animal methods are important tools used to refine and support studies that require the use of animals. However, the use of animals still remains essential in bridging the gap between the discovery of safe and effective healthcare products and the conquering of disease. Where possible, GE uses and develops alternatives to animal studies.

What is GE’s attitude toward animal welfare organizations?

GE conducts animal research with the utmost concern for the well-being of the animals involved and we support legitimate animal welfare concerns and the law-abiding organizations that represent them. We also acknowledge that some people disagree with the use of animals in research, no matter how positive the end result. However, we condemn organizations whose pursuit of their goals involves harassment of people, damage to property and other acts of aggression. GE believes that it is the role of government to derive and enforce appropriate legislation to control the use of animals in medical research and that all advocacy groups seeking to influence that legislation should use the democratic process in their endeavors.